Calon Ségur - Saint-Estèphe 1989

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

Tasted from an ex-château bottle at BI Wine & Spirits Calon-Segur dinner in London. Just over a decade ago when I last tasted the 1989 Calon Segur, I was enraptured by this wine. However, over subsequent years time has caught up with it and it is now beginning to show signs of wear and tear. It is what you might call "old school": sandalwood, warm bricks and bay leaf scents with just a touch of star anise. It feels just a little fatigued. The palate is medium-bodied, rustic and broad-shouldered, but with a sweet core of degraded fruit, vestiges from that hot summer. The finish foursquare and a little austere, suggesting that it might dry out within 5-8 years. There is still some pleasure to be gained from this Saint Estèphe, but I would drink it sooner rather than later. Tasted March 2015.

Wine Spectator

87 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe5/31/1999

An enormous, bruising, highly extracted wine. Dark brick-red color. Plummy, earthy aromas and hints of aniseed and game. Full-bodied, incredibly ripe, with raisin, tobacco and earth on the slightly dry and overextracted finish. Overdone? I overrated this when it was young.--1989 Bordeaux horizontal. Best after 2004.

Wine Advocate

88 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe9/1/1998

This property has turned in a very good effort in 1989. It possesses a deep ruby/garnet color, a sweet, chewy, dense texture, full body, plenty of alcohol, and moderately high tannin. Quite precocious, it will have a life span of at least 15 years. It reminded me of a downsized version of the 1982, but slightly more rustic. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted, 8/97.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1993

This property has turned in a distinguished effort in 1989. It has an impressive deep ruby color, a sweet, chewy, dense texture, full body, plenty of alcohol, and gobs of soft tannins. Quite precocious, it will have a life span of at least 15 years. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2010.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1992

This property has turned in a distinguished effort in 1989. It has an impressive deep ruby color, a sweet, chewy, dense texture, full body, plenty of alcohol, and gobs of soft tannins. Quite precocious, it will have a lifespan of at least 15 years. It reminded me of a down-sized and more open knit version of the 1982. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2010. Tasted six times. Consistent notes.